Lake District Walks: Gowbarrow Fell and Aira Force 

Thank you for watching. Now that the weather has turned wet, the waterfalls are back to their best.

Thank you. It's always better for a bit of warm sunshine, especially at the back end of the year.

Thank you.

Fear not, I shall be doing more this year, although I cannot say where, or when. Only the pandemic stopped me last year.

Thank you. I've loved making them.

jonathancraigguides Are you still making them Jonathan.

@@stepheneverett6131 I have plans to make more this year. I was actually going to produce them in 2020 but global events altered my plans.

Thank you. No, towel certainly not thrown in! However, the pandemic has brought a lot of issues into focus, and life has changed in so many ways. I am hoping, all being well, to be able to devote some time to my favourite past-time very soon. The scripts, such as they are, are ready, the camera is charged, walking boots are clean and ready. All I need is a window in time, and also in the weather.

Thank you. I'm pleased you are enjoying it.

Thank you. It is at its best on a sunny day after lots of rain.

Thank you.

Thank you Stephen. I bump into folk who like my videos on regular occasions, and not only on the fells. Somerset, Bournemouth and a garden centre in Bedfordshire just before Christmas are all places where I have met fellow Lake District fans. It always nice to see people, so if you spot me, come over for a chat.

Thank you. I'm looking forward to making the next one as soon as possible.

Thank you. I'm pleased you enjoy them.

Thank you. Yes, keeping well and looking forward to the next few months on the fells.

Thank you. I hope there was a bit more water going over the falls than last Tuesday. I haven't seen it as low for a long time.

@@jonathancraigguides There was..however the main path down to the falls was closed due to a fallen tree

Thank you. Yes, plans to make more later this year.

Thank you, yes, I'm doing well, and happy to see plenty of folk back in the Lakes enjoying the fresh air and scenery. Hope you enjoy your forthcoming break, and that the weather remains fine for you.

Thank you. I hope everyone has a healthy Christmas and that the new year brings a new level of hope for everyone. Stay safe.

Thank you Paul. Your comment spurs me on. I love helping people who are on a break, and therefore short of time, to find the best place to walk in order to make the most of their stay here. I only wish I could arrange for the weather to be nice whilst they are in the area.

Thank you. I agree, it has been too long. Plenty of walks to film, so little time to film them.

Thank you. Thoroughly enjoyed doing it.

Thank you Sarah and Andrew. Glad you enjoyed it. That gate sure has a strong spring on it. Someone who was close by at the time, a local lady, said it was to stop children opening it and running onto the crag and slipping off the edge as it is a very sharp and steep drop. Whether that is actually the case I don't know, but if it is, it works!!

Thank you Del. Already planning my next one.

Thank you. Hopefully won't be too many weeks before we can get back out there. Hope you are keeping well.

Thank you. I hope you enjoy your time in Ambleside.

Thank you. Sorry for the delay in replying, for some reason your comment didn't show up on my dashboard until just now. I am well, I hope you are too, and that you are soon able to get out there yourself. Videos are fine, but they are no substitute for the real thing.

Thank you. I have to admit to keeping it a bit of a surprise. Hopefully not so long until the next one.

Thank you. Great fun to do, even if i did get a bit wet in the rain showers.

Thank you. All things being equal, there should be new ones next year.

Thank you. I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

Thank you George. Dodd and Gowbarrow, two good autumn choices. Hope you enjoy them. Reaching 2K subscribers was very welcome. I just hope I can justify their faith in my work.

Thank you. It is not too far from Keswick along the A66. I hope you thoroughly enjoy it. Roll on next August!

Thank you. Ullswater and the surrounding fells never fail to please, and there is such a diversity of walking routes that there is something for all. Aira Force has looked good all summer long.

Thank you. Yes, I have a bit of a liking for spending rainy evenings on You Tube watching other people's videos. There is a really great selection to choose from, and always nice when you meet a fellow producer out on the fells.

Thank you. I'm pleased to have made your day, so to speak. August is not too far away. I hope you have a great time, have fine weather and enjoy taking your walks as much as I have enjoyed videoing them.

@@jonathancraigguides thank you for the reply Eric. Keep up the great work sir.

Thank you! I really enjoyed doing it, despite the weather not playing ball, but then that is the Lake District for you.

I would agree. I reckon about 99% of the folk that visit the falls don't go onto the fell. The day I shot this video it was quiet, but then it was windy. I do remember one sunny summer day arriving at the summit cairn to find that there was nowhere to site to enjoy a sandwich as it was full of folk. Turned out to be a walking party. Once they had gone, I had the place to myself, as usual.

Thank you. I'm pleased you've enjoyed them.

Thank you. Yes, very well, and using lockdown to take the opportunity to get on with the task of writing a book. An interesting experience! Hope you are keeping well.

@@jonathancraigguides Excellent! 👍 Writing about walks in the lakes?

@@ursamajor6546 Something along those lines.

Thank you. Thoroughly enjoyed making this one. Looking forward to getting out again very soon.

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.

Thank you. I'm pleased to be able to help you remember your trips to the Lakes, and hopefully when the current crisis is over there will be more new views for you to enjoy. Hope you stay healthy and safe.

Thank you. Yes, the Ullswater Way seems to be gaining quite a reputation. Wainwright always claimed that the path from Patterdale to Howtown was the finest Low Level walk in the lakes. That was long before the Ullswater Way had been created of course. Hard to disagree with him though.

Eric, thank you so much for another truly wonderful video. Your production is getting ever more professional yet still you allow your positive, cheerful and unique personality to shine brightly through. If Wainwright was still alive, I have no doubt he'd be doing exactly what you do today!

@@autobahnproven Thank you. I think my joy at finally being in a position to get back out onto the fells with my camera shines through. I had such fun on the day, and met so many lovely people. That is one area where Wainwright and i differ. As anyone who meets me on the fells will testify, I love to stop for a chat.

Thank you. I'm well.

Thank you Alan. I've missed being out there.

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was a memorable walking day for many reasons, and meeting you was one of them. I thoroughly enjoyed our chats. I do hope you are able to come back to this wonderful part of the world and seek out more of the scenic beauty.

We will definitely be revisiting. We will look at your videos and do those walks next time. Cheers Prakash

Thank you. A regular haunt of mine, never fails to please.

Thank you. It is wonderful to be back.

Sorry that should have been Eric.

Thank you Alan. The weather was touch and go for a bit, and looking out today I'm kind of wondering whether I should have held off for another week or so. Having said that I was keen to get out. Hopefully come the end of this year I'll have a lot more time on my hands. I've missed the fells this past year.

Wow! That is a long way to come! I hope you had a great time and the walks did not disappoint.

@@jonathancraigguides We had a BLAST!! Even saw some military jets flying around Castle Crag!! Awesome trip!! We love GB!!

Thank you Sarah. Gosh, you sound very organised. The Newlands Valley is wonderful and I am sure you will enjoy your stay. Not only will you have the immediate area to explore, but you are not too far away from the Northern Fells, which are very different in character. I always think that the planning is half the fun, so I'm so pleased to have been able to help you with that. Take care, and enjoy your holidays. Atb Eric.

jonathancraigguides Thank you Eric, I was tickled pink that you replied 😊 Yes I enjoy planning our annual trips to the Lakes and we’ll be up very soon. Can’t wait to find Whorneyside Force, never even knew it was there! We’ve been up The Band to Bowfell via Climber’s Traverse (bit scary!) and crossed over the Oxendale Beck to Red Tarn, Pike O’ Blisco and over Crinkle Crags. All the time it was right under our noses, so to speak. Just don’t tell anyone about it 😉. Should we ever bump into you we’ll say hello. Please keep the videos coming. All the best. Sarah

Thank you both. I was good to be back up there. I was going to do a different route up, but the bracken was so high that I felt it would not be so appealing. Hopefully be able to make another before the end of the year. Take care both, maybe see you on the fells one day.

Thank you. I always think that one day, when I am old and grey, it will be nice to look back to a time when I could actualy get up the fells.

Thank you. Rest assured, I am looking forward to making more. I thoroughly enjoye producing this one.

Oh dear. In that case I probably should not mention how good the weather was today. Glad you enjoyed your time here, and hopefully your next visit will be just as good.

jonathancraigguides we visited Hodge Close Quarry then had coffee and cake at Bluebird Cafe at Coniston Water before the six hour drive home, so we enjoyed some of the sunshine!

Thank you, and yes, even after trekking up the mountains for almost 50 years, I have to agree with you. I never tire of the beauty whatever the time of year or the weather.

Thank you Eddie. Always a nice easy walk and the views of Ullwater make that stretch very enjoyable. Glad you liked it.

Thank you. I hope your next visit is thoroughly enjoyable.

Thank you Dave. If this weather holds until the weekend I might just be able to get back out there with my camera. I love little bits of folk lore such as the story of Lady Emma. So much more fun than the simply sticking to the officially verified history of the falls.

Glad you enjoyed them and that you are inspired to visit this wonderful part of the world when the current crisis is over. In the meantime, stay safe.

Glad you like them!

Glad you enjoyed it, despite the wind! It is often windy on the top of the fell. Great Mell Fell is similar, and I have been told it is because of it's position in relation to the Northern Fells that causes it. Having said that, I do remember once accompanying an 85 year old lady (she was fitter than me!) up the fell one day and sitting on the top enjoying butties with no breeze at all. Whatever the weather, the return, with the views of the Lake, is always wonderful.

Thank you Ashley and Andrea. Actually, my first visit to Aira Force this year was at the start of June, and yes, it was more a trickle than a force. 4 weeks later, in July, it was a torrent. It just shows how a few days of rain can alter things quite drastically. According to one of the NT rangers it has been full ever since, and they have had record visitor numbers to enjoy the spectacle, although it has to be said that on the day I shot the video it was not terribly busy. On the subject of other videos, well fear not, they may not come along at a fast pace, but plenty more are planned. Atb Eric

Thank you Andy. It is what I term one of the old faithfuls. Easy enough for a total novice to do, and almost always delivers regarding the scenic beauty of Ullswater. As for Aira Force, well what with all the rain we've had this year I simply could not resist.

The course assessor clearly didn't know enough about Wordsworth then, since WW wrote a poem about Lady Emma (The Somnambulist) in 1833. Having said that, I once asked an NT Guide about the reason why William Wordsworth had designed the gardens at Wray Castle and he didn't know the answer. Luckily the Trust seems to have rectified this as their website now carries a lot of good information about the history of the building.

Thank you Cheryl. I'm glad that you have enjoyed my videos, and that they have been useful in helping you to start hiking. It is, in my experience, a hobby that has a tendency to become ever so slightly addictive. This year it will be 50 years since I first set foot on a Lake District fell. I remember the experience very clearly, even after all these years. Over that time I have got a huge amount of enjoyment from walking, as well as meeting some very nice people along the way. My only disappointment is that I cannot go back and start again. Wouldn't time travel be wonderful?!! I hope you find your experiences equally enjoyable. Take care, and have fun! Atb. Eric.

Thank you. I have been after dark, and I have to say that it is an interesting place. First of all, I was not the only one there. People dog walking, people heading out for an afterdark walk with head torches on, people out photographing the falls at night, despite them not being lit up. Then there is the mist that drifts through the trees and the eerie sound of the falls echoing in the woodland.... an interesting experience ....

Yes, new videos planned, later this year. I fancied doing one today, but the thunder kind of put me off a bit!

I agree, I've been away too long! Hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed making it.

yes we both enjoyed it 🙂 We've been to the Aira Force main car park etc but didn't realise there was a higher cascade to visit. We'll check it out next time we're over that way. 🙂

@@blapidarious780 The walk up to the higher cascade is lovely, and there is a bridge at the top, as well as one half way up, should you want to switch sides. Hope you enjoy it.

Sounds good and is probably less busy than the lower falls. Thank you for the info. 🙂

Thank you for asking Graham. Definitely more to come once the pandemic has abated. I had a series of walks to shoot this year but they were put on hold. Hope you are having a good festive season.

​@@jonathancraigguides Hello Eric, Glad to hear all is OK, and look forward to more walks when the coast is clear. I noted your comments in your Sale Fell video about growing older and wiser. A friend of mine spent many years munro bagging in his twenties and told me that all he saw was the heels of the guy in front. Perhaps a great athletic achievement but years lost not savoring the moment. I think you have probably cracked it with a mug of tea and a doughnut! Cheers Graham

I've found that to be the case. A lot of folk seem to be doing the Ullswater Way this year, so that last stretch up to and beyond Yew Crag can get quite busy. Having said that, the car park at Aira Force was not too busy on the day I shot the video. No idea why, every other time I have been this year it has been packed.

Thank you. The pause in proceedings is only temporary due mainly to the pandemic and family needs. Very much looking forward to 2021.

Fear not. I'm working on it, but the pandemic has got in the way!

jonathancraigguides That is great news, you’ve made my day. I will look forward to your walks and hope you stay healthy and well. You’ve gave me so many ideas and I’ve walked plenty of your videos. Many thanks for all your hard work, it’s greatly appreciated

Thank you. Not shot any since before the beginning of the pandemic due to various family pressures. Looking to get back out there soon.

@@jonathancraigguides I'm just relieved to get a response so i know we aren't missing anyone. That's great news and looking forward to your adventures Sir. Stay safe and come back at your own pace

@@cairnscrow8713 Thank you.

Thank you. Yes, I have plans to make more videos, if fact I cannot wait to get out again with my camera, and plenty of material planned. However, the pandemic and family issues seem to have a habit of getting in the way, and since with me health and family come first I am having to be just a tad patient, but as I have said before, watch this space!

@@jonathancraigguides that's good to hear. Hope to see you back soon then. If you get chance do check out my walking channel. I'm only an amateur at best and it was channels like yours that inspired me to start. It's mostly to help people get out to help their mental health through Walking for Wellness. All the best. EOAW

@@EllOfAWalk Thank you. Everyone has to start somewhere, and if you look at some of my early work you'll see that I have improved no end over the years. Helping people to get out and about is a great reason to shoot videos, so fear not, I shall have a look.

@@jonathancraigguides Thank you for the reply and an even bigger thank you for checking me out. Thanks. EOAW :)

Probably. It is slightly less steep however, the upward stretch is longer. A lot depends upon where you park. If you are in the main Aira Force car park, or arriving by bus or boat then anti-clockwise would be good.

I do have plans, however at the moment I've been unable to put them into action due to personal reasons. However, all being well, that situation should be resolved shortly. I'm sorry that I cannot be more precise.

An interesting contrast, Orrest Head and Old Man of Coniston. I'm getting to the age where most of my walks are what I used to term 'novice walks'. Having said that it is good to get out there and meet new people and cover new routes. At the moment I am tending to only go spasmodically due to other committments, however, there is a group that has gone from strength to strength in the last couple of years. It is called the 'Fellowship of the fells'. It is run by Leona and Chris Pye, a lovely, down to earth couple from Morecambe. They have a You Tube channel (named simply Leona & Chris Pye) and a Facebook page (named 'The fellowship of the Fells'. Only a few years ago they were in a similar position to you - just starting out. Now they have covered all the Wrainwright fells, and the group has lots of members of all abilities who meet up regularly. Check out their Facebook page. Meanwhile, watch this space!

Thank you. I'm pleased you are enjoying them. The music is called 'Thunderstorm' by singer songwriter Hanu Dixit. He has a You Tube channel. This particular piece is the the You Tube Audio Library, a resource of well over 10,000 tracks that are available to use for free - very helpful when you are making videos and would like a backing track.

Thank you. I've not been far. A mixture of work and looking after my family, which is getting bigger. It is called Jonathan Craig after my two sons.

There are around 50 videos of mine on You Tube, mostly of walks, but not all. Some are just views set to music and a small number feature birds in my garden (shot whilst I was playing with a new camera and tripod!). As for walking, well my first was in 1970 and I have been doing them on and off ever since. I tend to fit my wallking around other aspects of my life, which is one reason why I haven't done any new videos for a couple of years, but hopefully that will change later in the summer.

Not on this one Stephen. All my own work. I did Gowbarrow with Helen earlier in the year, also done it on my own twice before shooting. When she helps, I always include her name.